Engine



A. J. MEYER 2,016,680

ENGINE Filed Oct. 8, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

flkzar J Meyer ATTORNEY.

A. J. MEYER Oct. 8, 1935 ENGINE Filed Oct. 8, 1931 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patentedoct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENGINE Andre J. Meyer, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Continental Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Virginia My invention relates to engines and more particularly to air cooled engines of the sleeve valve type, my present invention being more specifically related to cylinder head structures adapted for operative assembly with engines of the aforesaid type.

Due primarily to the peculiar construction of cylinder heads employed with sleeve valve engines, it has heretofore been diflicult to supply adequate air cooling means for dissipating the heat generated in the combustion chamber. Sleeve valve engines usually employ reentrant cylinder heads and considerable difficulty has been experienced in cooling the re-entrant portion of the head sufiiciently to avoid overheating of the sleeve valve means and adjacent portions of the engine. Further difliculties have been encountered in conducting the heat to a point where it may be dissipated since ordinarily restrictions 0 to the flow of heat have been present, thereby resulting in unsatisfactory engine performance.

An object of my present invention is to construct an air cooled engine of the sleeve valve type having generally improved operating characteristics by providing a novel cylinder head structure constructed and arranged to supply means for readily dissipating heat generated in the combustion chamber whereby overheating of adjacent engine elements is avoided.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of an engine cylinder and associated cylinder head illustrating my invention and taken substantialy on the line l-| of Fig. 2,

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of an engine cylinder and illustrating a modified cylinder head construction, said figure being taken on the line 44 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated an engine structure A having a cylinder I U and a plurality of cooling fins ll associated therewith for dissipating the heat from the cylinder. Sleeve valve means I2 is associated with the cylinder and a piston I3 is arranged to op- 5 erate therein in the usual manne I l? h en to illustrate in the present drawings an engine of the single sleeve valve type in which the sleeve is provided with suitable ports for controlling the intake and exhaust. I preferably employ a sleeve of the Burt-McCollum type in which 5 the sleeve is given a combined oscillating and reciprocating movement with respect to the cylinder and sleeve axes.

'A cylinder head structure B is secured to the engine structure A by a plurality of bolts or 10 other suitable fastening devices l4, said head provided with a re-entrant portion l5 depending within the cylinder and spaced from the walls thereof to proyide a sleeve pocket l6 for accommodating the upper portion of the sleeve valve 15 means l2. -This cylinder head is provided with a combustion chamber l1 opening inwardly of the cylinder and carries one or more spark plugs Hi.

The cylinder head is provided with a flange I9 20 adapted for cooperation with the ends of the cylinder structure and preferably a gasket 20 is secured intermediate the flange l9 and the flange 2| carried by the cylinder structure A. Preferably the flange I9 is constructed to be located 25 in the same plane as that portion of the cylinder head forming the top or outer end of the combustion chamber l1 and formed integrally with this head. The outer end of the combustion chamber is thus preferably located in the general 30 vicinity of the outer end of the cylinder. A plurality of fins 22 are positioned in'parallel relation to each other and preferably extending in a direction parallel to the air stream which is indicated by the arrows 23 in Figs. 1 and 2. These 35 fins 22 extend across the top of the cylinder head and overlie the combustion chamber I! thereby providing a maximum of surface area for dissipating heat. p

The difliculty in cooling engines of this char- 40 acter by air is that it has been heretofore difficult to transfer the heat absorbed by the inner portion of the -re-entrant cylinder head to a point where the same may be readily dissipated. In the present invention as shown in the illustrated embodiment thereof, I have provided that portions of the cylinder head which depends within the cylinder of suflicient thickness to readily transfer the heat or conduct the same to the point where it may be dissipated by the external cooling fins 22. As an example of the structure in which the heat can be thus carried away, I have constructed the depending re-entrant portion of the head in the form of a cylinder surrounding the combustion chamber l'! and having walls of a thickness approximating the diameter of the combustion chamber. Obviously the thickness of the re-entrant portion of the head may be varied within reasonable limits as determined by the amount of heat which is to be dissipated but I have found that a head constructed as shown generally in the accompanying drawings will produce satisfactory results and transfers the heat generated in the combustion chamber to a point where it may be dissipated without over-heating the sleeve valve or other adjacent engine elements.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 4 to 6 inclusive I have shown a modified construction differing in some respects from that structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive but embodying in general the same principle of operation. In this latter construction I have substituted for the solid heat conducting re-entrant cylinder head portions a modified construction which is provided with a recess in which air may be circulated.

In the construction shown in Figures 4 to 6, I have provided a cylinder structure A having a cylinder iii and cylinder cooling fins H. Sleeve valve means [2 are provided for operation within the cylinder and a suitable piston I3 is constructed for cooperative operation therewith in the usual manner. A cylinder head structure B is secured to the cylinder structure by means of bolts or other fastening devices 14' and is pro vided with a flange l9 that seats on the cylinder flange 2|. This cylinder head structure is provided with a re-entrant portion l5 that depends within the cylinder and is spaced from the walls thereof to provide a sleeve pocket it for accommodating the upper portion of the sleeve valve means. The cylinder head structure is provided with a combustion chamber l1 and associated therewith are the spark plugs I8.

The cylinder head is provided with a recessed portion 25 that is preferably constructed to surround the combustion chamber and to lie intermediate the sleeve pocket 16' and the combustion chamber.

A plurality of cooling fins 26 are carried by the outer portion of the cylinder head adjacent the flange l9 and preferably these fins 26 extend from a point adjacent the peripheral edge of the flange to a central cylinder head portion which forms the combustion chamber I1 and in the illustrated embodiment of my invention I have provided alternate fins with depending extensions which depend part way into the recessed portion of the cylinder head, these depending extensions being designated by the reference character 21 and as shown it will be noted that they extend within said recess less than half the depth thereof and these depending fin portions 21 connect the wall surrounding the combustion chamber with the inner wall of the sleeve pocket [6 thereby providing conducting means for conducting the heat from the wall of the combustion chamber to a point where the same may be readily dissipated.

In the present construction the roof of the combustion chamber I1 is arranged slightly higher than that shown in Fig. 1 and this central portion of the cylinder head which forms the roof of the combustion chamber is preferably positioned in a plane above the plane containing the flange [9, although in the general vicinity of the outer end of the cylinder, the top of the fins 26 being preferably arranged substantially flush with the top of the central portion of the cylinder head, this central portion of the cylinder head being provided with fins 28 which overlie the combustion chamber and in general form continuations of the fins 26 as will be noted by observing Fig. 4.

In connection with this modified construction I prefer to provide deflecting means for inducing a positive circulation of air through the recessed portion of the cylinder head, said deflecting means being arranged to substantially overlie the recessed portion of the head and spaced from the mouth of the recess so as to permit sufficient volume of air to be introduced into the recess. This is accomplished in the present embodiment of my invention by providing a ring 2 which may be secured to the central portion of the cylinder head in a manner as shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, this ring being preferably secured by a press fit although it is obvious that the particular means by which the ring is secured in place is immaterial insofar as this invention is concerned. This ring preferably extends laterally outwar-dly from the central portion of the cylinder head and as shown in Fig 4 overlies the recessed portion of the head and induces the air to flow in a direction substantially as indicated by the arrows 28.

In the constructions as described above I have provided a cylinder head in which adequate cooling may be had, these heads being provided with heat dissipating means of a maximum surface area whereby a maximum amount of heat may be dissipated. In addition, the structures are provided with suitable means cooperating with the re-entrant portion of the cylinder head for conducting the' heat generated in the combustion chamber to the point where the same is dissipated in the air stream directed against the engine.

Furthermore the constructions as herein illustrated may be economically manufactured and due to the fact that it is possible to provide a large number of such cooling fins in accordance with the principle of my invention it is not necessary to construct the fins with an excessive height since these fins extend across the entire cylinder head and also overlie the combustion chamber in such a way as to provide adequate cooling and to prevent overheating of adjacent engine elements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket and provided with a combustion chamber communicating with the cylinder, means carried by the head for dissipating heat, and fins connecting the side wall of the combustion chamber with the inner wall of the sleeve pocket for conducting heat to said heat dissipating means.

2. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket and provided with a combustion chamber communicating with the cylinder, means carried by the head for dissipating heat, said heat dissipating means '1 5 including fins having extensions depending within the head intermediate the sleeve pocket and combustion chamber and forming a heat conductor connecting the side wall of the combustion chamber with the inner wall of the sleeve pocket.

3. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket and provided with a combustion chamber communieating with the cylinder, means carried by the head for dissipating heat, said head having a recessed portion extending substantially around the combustion chamber intermediate the combustion chamber and sleeve pocket, and conducting means including fins for bridging the said recessed portion and connecting the side wall of the combustion chamber with the inner wall of the sleeve pocket for conducting heat to said heat dissipating means.

4. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within the cylinder and provided with a combustion chamber, said head having a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending below the outer extremities of the cylinder, and heat dissipating fins extending across the head and overlying the combustion chamber, said fins provided with extensions depending within the recessed portion of said head.

5. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within the cylinder and provided with a combustion chamber, said head having a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending below the outer extremities of the cylinder, and heat dissipating fins extending across the head and overlying the combustion chamber, said fins provided with extensions depending within the recessed portion of said head and terminating short of half the depth of said recessed por tion.

6. A cylinder head structure for an internal combuston engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket, said head provided with a combustion chamber opening inwardly of the cylinder and with a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending inwardly of the outer extremities of the cylinder, head dissipating fins extending across the head, and a ring secured to said head and overlying the mouth of said re cessed portion in spaced relation therewith for inducing air circulation within said recessed portion.

7. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket, said head provided with a combustion chamber opening inwardly of the cylinder and with a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending inwardly of the outer extremities of the cylinder, a cylinder head flange overlying the cylinder outer end and located generally inwardly of the cylinder head portion forming the top wall of the combustion chamher, heat dissipating fins carried by the flange and extending outwardly of the cylinder, and an air deflector secured to the said cylinder head portion for inducing air circulation within said recessed portion.

8. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket, said head provided with a combustion chamber opening inwardly of the cylinder and with a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending inwardly of the outer extremities of the cylinder, said cylinder head pro- Vided with a flange overlying the cylinder outer end and a central cylinder head portion forming the top wall of the combustion chamber located generally outwardly of said cylinder head flange and separated from said flange by said recessed portion, and air deflecting means carried by said central cylinder head portion and overlying said recessed portion for inducing air circulation therethrough.

9. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket, said head provided with a combustion chamber opening inwardly of the cylinder and with a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending inwardly of the outer extremities of the cylinder, said cylinder head provided with a flange overlying the cylinder outer end and a central cylinder head portion forming the top wall of the combustion chamber and separated from said flange by said recessed portion, and an air deflecting ring secured to said central cylinder head portion and extending laterally therefrom to overlie said recessed portion for inducing air circulation therethrough.

10. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within and spaced from the cylinder to provide a sleeve pocket, said head provided with a combustion chamber opening inwardly of the cylinder and with a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending inwardly of the outer extremities of the cylinder, said cylinder head provided with a flange overlying the cylinder outer end and a central cylinder head portion forming the top wall of the combustion chamber and separated from said flange by said recessed portion, and an air deflecting ring secured to said central cylinder head portion and extending laterally therefrom to overlie said recessed portion and positioned substantially in a plane spaced above the plane or the flange for inducing air circulation through said recessed portion.

11. A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine of the sleeve valve type having a cylinder and including a re-entrant cylinder head portion depending within the cylinder and provided with acombustion chamber, said head having a recessed portion substantially surrounding the combustion chamber and extending below the outer extremities of the cylinder, and heat dissipating fins extending across the head and overlying the combustion chamber, alternate fins provided with extensions depending within the recessed portion of said head.

ANDRE J MEYER. 

